November 2012 article by Paul Boerger in the Mt Shasta Herald

The Siskiyou Land Trust says its mission is “dedicated to long-term stewardship of agricultural, forest and wildlands in Siskiyou County by working with willing landowners, agencies and organizations.”  The Trust held its yearly Fall Dinner Event Oct. 27 at the Mount Shasta city park upper lodge where a packed house enjoyed a special dinner catered by Olivera’s and gave generously in a silent auction on items donated by local merchants and individuals, and bid high for desserts, also provided by local citizens.

According their website, the Land Trust uses a variety of methods to conserve land from development including the following:

• Accept donations of land or the funds to purchase land;

• Accept a bequest;

• Accept the donation of a conservation easement, which permanently limits the type and scope of development that can take place on the land; and

• In some instances, land trusts also purchase conservation easements.

“A conservation easement, or conservation restriction, is a voluntary legal agreement between a landowner and a land trust that permanently restricts certain aspects of land use in order to protect the conservation values of the property,” the Trust says. “In addition to the satisfaction landowners get from knowing their land is protected in perpetuity, there are also several potential tax advantages to granting a conservation easement: an income tax deduction; an estate tax benefit; and, possibly a reduction in property taxes.”

In an interview, Land Trust Conservation Director Kathleen Hitt spoke of her gratitude for community support and plans for the future. “I give all our supporters a round of applause. It’s because of our supporters in the community that we can be around to conserve these special landscapes in Siskiyou County,” Hitt said. Hitt said among the Trust’s future plans are the GardenShare land, Rainbow Ridge and more direct community involvement in the conservation efforts. “Stay tuned for a community announcement for the GardenShare land across from Sisson School,” Hitt said. “We are also working on a partnership for a conservation easement for Rainbow Ridge. A stewardship event, including reaching out to the schools, is being planned where community members can work on fuels reduction projects.”

The Land Trust’s completed conservation projects include the 7.5 acre Sisson Meadows, 67 acres of the Hammond Reservoir, 70 acres along the Trinity River and 5,500 acres in Scott Valley. Ongoing projects include Sisson Meadow boardwalk enhancement, Mount Shasta City Park to downtown Greenway, forest conservation, ranch and farmland conservation, GardenShare project and monitoring of completed stewardship projects.

For more information on the Siskiyou Land Trust, visit the website at www.siskiyoulandtrust.org.